Now that August is officially here , there's no mistaking the dog days of summer are on us in full swing. A sure sign of NYC summers is the oppressing heat and humidity. I was at my wits end last week when I remembered that years ago, when I was backpacking through Europe with my friend, Amy, we discovered .....GAZPACHO in Spain! It was so refreshing and delicious that I was salivating already tapping on the keyboard searching for a recipe. All of them more or less involve cucumbers, tomato juice, tomatoes, red peppers, olive oil, vinegar, a random onion, and a blender. The ratios are not important. I guess it depends on your taste. Sometimes, I would see a chili pepper in the recipes too. I jotted down the ingredients and realized to my dismay that the only thing I had at home was the blender.
"OK, children, off to the supermarket!"
"What are we getting?"
"Ingredients for gazpacho!"
"Wha's dat?"
"It's a cold Spanish veggie soup for the summer. It's really good, you'll love it! Vamanos a la supermercado!"
1/2 an hour later, ingredients on the counter top, we started. Of course, in my mind, everyone will fall in love with my gazpacho and I won't have enough of it. So while I was at the supermarket, I decided.... Let's double the ingredients for a double batch!! It just wouldn't feel right if everyone gulped it down in mass quantities and poor mother,who slaved away on the blender, didn't get any.
The 2 kids helped wash, chop and load the veggies into the blender. I heard heavenly angels singing when I poured out of the blended mixture into various containers. This was not just glorified V8, This was something for the senses that brought back fond memories of a hot and dusty day, 2 buddies sitting by the sidewalk sipping gazpacho in Barcelona! My memories were abruptly jolted when the kids asked if they could taste it. No! It needs to be in the fridge overnight so the flavor really comes out. Popped it into the fridge. 1 large pitcher, 2 plastic quart containers, 1 cup.
After a night of chilling in the fridge, everyone was excited.
"Can we have some for dinner?"
"No, let's have it after dinner.... you know, sorta like a treat!"
Everyone had 2 cups of gazpacho! Delicious!! It felt even better knowing that I was having a daily dose of veggies! Goodness, this must be at least 4 servings of veggies!! Even better!
The next day.... Who wants some gazpacho?
Kids: OK! it was really good yesterday!
Husband: No thanks. I think it gave me the runs.
The following day.... Who wants some gazpacho?
Kid #2: Oh, OK, I'll have some...
Me: Hello!? Anyone else?
Kid #1: Oh, alright, I'll have a little bit.
Me: Anyone else??
Husband: No thanks....
The next day.... Who wants some gazpacho?
Kids: Not really....
Me: You better get in the kitchen here and have some. I don't want to hear that I never cook anything! There's only a bit left, help me finish it off.
Husband: No thanks.
Me: Aren't you done with your runs? I don't think it was the gazpacho. Everyone else is fine.
Husband: Don't want to take the chance.
Me: Fine, be like that.
The next day.... Gazpacho, anyone?
Kids:......
Husband:.......
I know they were all within earshot of me in the kitchen but all I heard were crickets chirping...
Me: FINE, I'LL HAVE SOME MYSELF! (drinking a cup)
The last day of the Gazpacho....
What's the point of asking, they won't want any anyway. I'm getting tired of drinking it but I don't want to waste any of my hard work. Hmmmm.... wonder how it'll taste with a splash of OJ? Let's make it extra healthy with a flavor twist!
TOTAL BAD IDEA! Tastes and smells like vomit. The last 2 cups of gazpacho went down the drain promptly.
Maybe I'll try again next summer, with a smaller batch....
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